Napkin dispenser



June 14, 1932. J. s. DANIELS NAPKIN DISPENSER J05eph5 12m Filed Dec. 51, 1928 to receive Patented June 14, 1932 JOSEPH S. DANIELS, OF RHINELANDER,

WISCONSIN, ASSIGNOR TO DANIELS MANUFAC- TURING COMPANY, OF RHINELANDER, \VISCONSIN, A CORPORATION OF WISCONSIN NAIPKIN DISPENSER Application filed December 31, 1928. Serial No. 329,337.

This invention relates to dispensing devices, and more particularly to devices for containing and dispensing sheet material such as folded paper napkins, towels and similar articles.

An object of this invention is to provide a novel dispensing device from which napkins or similar articles, usually in folded form, may be readily dispensed from one or a plurality of sides of the container.

Another object is to provide a napkin dispensing device which is simple in construc tion, having relatively few parts such as will facilitate assembly as well as the manufacturing course, is durable inuse, is readily cleaned and is of such construction that napkins can be readily taken therefrom by a simple removing operation without difficulty in the withdrawing movement or liability of damage to the napkin.

Another object of this invention is to provide a napkin dispensing device made from a moulded artificial resin composition of phenol-formaldehyde either with or without coloring material incorporated therewith, whereby a device having resistance to heat and water is provided, as well as being light in weight, presenting a smooth, pleasing finish and attractive color.

Another object is to provide a napkin dispensing device composed of a phenol-formaldehyde resin possessing sanitary characteristics to a high degree, it being found that compositions of this kind which embody phenol and formaldehyde are antiseptic in character and consequently possess properties highly desirable for use in forming a napkin container and dispensing device.

This invention contemplates a device having dispensing openings of any desired size and shape so as to accommodate any suitable size and fold of napkin or similar article, one preferred form being hereinafter illustrated by way of example.-

The invention is disclosed as embodying in one form a napkin dispensing device adapted paper napkins of the s-called 1/ 8th fold having a plait extending along both sides of its middle portion by which it is grasped for the removing operation. These features however, form no part of the invention, the embodiment is given merely by way of example and the scope of the invention will be ascertainable from an understanding of the embodiment and a recognition of the advanelevation in cross section disclosing the construction of the bottom plate and means for retaining the bottom plate in operative association.

In the drawing, the invention is disclosed as embodied in a rectangular container 10 having a top 11, side walls 12, end Walls 13, and a center partition 14, all formed of a uni tary integral structure. The end walls are provided with dispensing openings 14: shown of general rectangular shape through which the napkins are adapted to be withdrawn.

It is obvious that the various parts above described may be made of separate parts and assembled to form a structure corresponding to the integral structure shown, although in practice it is found more convenient to form the parts integrally in the manner referred to.

At the bottom of the rectangular construc tion a beading or bottom flange 15 is provided, having a groove on the under side thereof as at 16, in a manner to form a step or shoulder 17. The groove and step forms a means for receiving a bottom plate 18 which is shaped to conform to the bottom opening and constructed of any suitable material, such as thin sheet metal, for instance. Secured within the beading 15 of the body portion of the dispenser are a plurality of securing lugs 19, each formed with a groove 20.

These lugs may be of metal or other suitable material and are preferably secured within the body of the dispenser such as being located therein during the moulding opera tion although it is conceivable that any suitable means maybe-*ntilized; For instance, the bo'dy' ofthe container may be moulded with lugs of the same material of some suitable shape and construction to form securing are"loca'tedon opposite sides and maybe of any desired number but inpractice it-is-found that two on one side and one centrally located" on the opposite side serve well.- 7 v The single lug is attached to cooperate with a latch 21-'whiclris in the nat'ur'e'of a' pi'vo'ted tongue adapted to move upon rotation into the groove QO-Qf tlie lugF Itis obvious from this construction that'* the' plate' may be inserted with onje "edge'locatedin the grooves 20' on one side and "-tlie""plate brought into seated position at the opposite sideiand latched by mevin'gahe'tefigae into engagement witli the opposite- 1mg. Y

It is preferable',"'-but-no'tnecessary, to proto =tne botfont plate', so as to give the-device stabilizing weight atits base so that =its center" of gravity" will be "lowered to a point where accidental upsetting of the device is revented? This' 'isparticularly true when the device ismaaeinem artificial resin or the type referred to whichis very much lighted in weightthafieinetal; V

The central artition 14; forms the in terion of" thecontaiuer into two compartments? each adapted to i receive a bundle" of napkins 2.3. The spring element 24L, having a= 1owrgnppingportion 25, is adapted to be inserted over'the lowe'r end of the'partition and -to' assume'the position shown in Figure 2; whereby it will exert a pressure against the we bundles of napkinsto "hold each bundle-in intimate contact against the end wallmid dispensiiigopening; I

Thisspring will act as afeeding spring for maintaining-thena kins in'intiin'ate contact irrespective of 'the'quanti 't y remaining inea'ch compartinent'so that a uniform dispensing ope'ration is prtducedno'wn to thelast napkin contained within tlie'"comp'artments. The partition'l iisprovided on itsopposite faces at the lower end, thereof with indentations 26 of' a shape and size 1:0 receive the gripping portion 25 of the spring so that the outer surface of this portion of'thespring' will be maintained flush with the surface of the partition; I x f An opening; 27* may be" provided at the upper portion of the partitionwhereby material is con'served andthe moulding operation facilitated; and an open are ais provided into whieh the ends'of the spring-may extend and" come into engagement in the manner for'imebottonr late 18." The lags which the devi'ce'rest's."

pieceand "held in position shown in Figure 2 to facilitate the spring operation.

On the bottom plate are a plurality of feet, which may be of rubber or other suitable material, held by any suitable means such as rivets, to the bottom plate. I These are preferably four in number and of such construction that the body of the dispensing device such as the lower portion ofthe beading 15, is held slightly spaced from thesurfa'ce on Attention is directed to the formation of the spring 24: which is herein shown as one by its own resilience, frictionally pressing the lower portion thereof' in" engagement with the b'ottom end of the flange. This permits, after the removal of the bottom plateyth'e spring to' be quickly and'easily'inserted into" and out of position without requiring further attachment or securing; The particular "shape-"of this' spr ing maybe selected according" t'o'fthe particular needs, it' bei'n'g found that the onepie'ce spring shown in Figure 2 serves well 2 for use with the device herein disclosed.

' When-the deviceis rnad froin a m-o'u lded resin" com-position such; as a condensation product of phenol and formaldehyde; it is moulded with the parts ofthebod'y construe tion fornied as a unitary piecet-having the necessary openings and with the] securing means 'mo'ulded therein ofotherwiseforrned thereon v ln as seniblin itis'merely necessaryto "in sort the spring and place the bottom in p'osition and lat'ch' itther'eoni The filling of the device as accomplished through-the" bottom whe're the two bundles of napkins are inserted in each compartment while the-bottom is removed- Thesp'ring i's shaped'to o'ifer no resistance to"the inserting movement of the bundles ofnapkins;

The device, when madeof a phenol forrnaldehyde composition will be" antiseptic in character andeonsequently will be 'free'from erms; eliminatin' all danger of ermsbeing lodged oaths napkins as 'used. The" cont'ai'ner' is constructed to render washing and cleansin ithereofeasy andthorough:

The device is light, but is not subje'ct'to being readily upset; is durable and is 'one which rests. This makes for considerable advantage in connection with the dispensing devices having a body portion of resinous material, which is quite light in weight, as it prevents accidental upsetting.

The scope of this invention will be particularly set forth in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A napkin dispensing device comprising a body portion having a top, side and end walls, dispensing openings on said end walls, a central partition forming two napkin compartments, an open bottom, and a removable bottom plate closing said open bottom.

2. A napkin dispensing device comprising a body portion having a top, side and end walls, dispensing openings on said end walls, a central partition forming two napkin compartments, an open bottom, and a removable bottom plate closing said open bottom and a spring of U construction embracing said partition and extended into each of said compartments.

3. A napkin dispensing device comprising, in combination, a weighted base plate having legs secured to the bottom thereof for support in spaced relation with a supporting surface, and a body portion comprising integrally formed top, side and end walls, a transverse member dividing said body portion into two compartments, a spring mounted on said transverse member having portions extending into each compartment, said body portion being adapted to be mounted on and secured to said base plate so as to be supported thereby in spaced relation to said supporting surface and provide a depending portion for concealing said supporting legs.

Signed at Rhinelander, Wisconsin, this 27th day of December, 1928.

. J. S. DANIELS. 

